493. Although it says only “you shall not commit adultery” why does the sixth commandment forbid all sins against chastity?
(Comp 493) Although the biblical text of the Decalogue reads “you shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), the Tradition of the Church comprehensively follows the moral teachings of the Old and New Testaments and considers the sixth commandment as encompassing all sins against chastity.
“In brief”
(CCC 2394) Christ is the model of chastity. Every baptized
person is called to lead a chaste life, each according to his particular state
of life.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2336) Jesus came to restore
creation to the purity of its origins. In the Sermon on the Mount, he
interprets God's plan strictly: "You have heard that it was said, 'You
shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a
woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mt
5:27-28). What God has joined together, let not man put asunder (Cf. Mt 19:6).
The tradition of the Church has understood the sixth commandment as
encompassing the whole of human sexuality.
Reflection
(CCC 1604) God who created man out of love also calls him to
love - the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. For man is
created in the image and likeness of God who is himself love (Cf. Gen 1:27; 1
Jn 4:8, 16). Since God created him man and woman, their mutual love becomes an
image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man. It is good,
very good, in the Creator's eyes. And this love which God blesses is intended
to be fruitful and to be realized in the common work of watching over creation:
"and God blessed them, and God said to them: 'Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the earth and subdue it'" (Gen 1:28; cf. 1:31).
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